BRITISH TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 5

BRITISH TRADE

NEED OF PROTECTION “I CANNOT FIGHT UXEAIPLOYAIENT WITHOUT WEAPONS.” AIR BALDWIN’S HINT. B.v Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and 5 - /.. Cable Association. (Received October 26, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. Mr Stanley Baldwin, addressing the annual conference of the Conservative Party at Plymouth, said that when it became ixtssible to renew negotiations witili Germany the Prime Ministers of the dominions were on their way to England. "We felt that on a matter of this great importance it would be worth much to have their counsel, and that when we spoke Europe would know our voice was not only the voice of England, but the voice of a united Empire. (Loud cheers.) We felt that after so many abortive conferences the most desirable policy was that the proposal for another conference should only be put forward under condition:-: that would ensure success. FEAR OF “DUMPING.” “We can only get reparations from Germany out of an enormously increased export trade. There is a danger that the market in Britain may become the shock-absorber of Europe, and a danger of the ‘dumping’ into Britain of accumulated stocks from the Ruhr, to the detriment of our manufacturers. I have no doubt that Parliament will take steps to see that no trading of this kind is allowed. “The visit of the dominion Premiers brings to mind the illimitable resources of the Empire. That field must lie utilised to the utmost of our endeavour. I have great herpes that much may result from the work of the Economic Conference, whose conclusions will be examined by the Government, and later by the House of Commons. NO BARGAINING POWER. “Unemployment is the most concise problem in the country. I can fight it-. I am willing to fight it. But I cannot fight it without weapons. We havo found since the war that there is hardly a oountry of importance that has not raised its* tariffs, and made it more difficult for us to sell. This has diminished our profits in competing, and we have to suffer, .with nothing with which to bargain. 1 have felt it only a right and honest thing, as the leader of a democratic party, to tell the party at the first opportunity what I thought, and submit it to their judgment.” A CREATJECISION GENERAL ELECTION POSSIBLE. CAMPAIGN IN AUTCAIN. Australian and N.£. Cable Association. (Received October 26, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. The “Daily Express” correspondent in Plymouth eaya: “Air Baldwin’s reference to the protection of home markets brought the only really enthusiastic cheer ot the evening. Then followed a sudden silence. Everyone expected Air Baldwin to develop a tariff scheme, Itnt he switched on to another subject, and 'eft his hearers to interpret the words themselves. Tlie impression afterwards was that Air Baldwin, while purposely vague, has hoisted the signal for a great autumn Protectionist campaign, related especially to unemployment, and designed to lead to a General Election on this issue.” The “Daily Telegraph,” in an editorial, expresses its belief that the great majority of the Conservative Party wall cordially accept the declaration. Hie “Morning Post” says: ‘‘Air Baldwin has made a great decision, and means to stand or fall by the is>ue, to protect British industries.” “THE ONLY WEAPON” FOR DEFENCE OF INDUSTRY. Australian and N.Z. Cabto Association. (Received October 26. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. October 26. Sir Samuel Hioare, Secretary for Air, speaking at Salisbury, said that Air | Baldwin had com® to the conclusion that a broader and more constructive policy was necessary to cope with unemployment. It was a programme which could not be carried out in the duration of the present Parliament, but sooner or later Mr Baldwin would ask for a mandate to carry out a groat programme of defence of British industries and development of the Empire. Air Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “If we are to deal adequately with . unemployment next winter, it will be neoessary to ask for release from Mr Bonar Law's pledge, to regard the situation with an open mind, and to take up the only weapon by which we can give adequate protection to our people.”